FIR Registered Against Copyright Violators

DC Books recently lodged a case on copyright violation against a YouTube channel that was illegally streaming numerous audiobooks. FIR was filed by the East Police Station, Kottayam and they have initiated investigation against the malefactor. With investigation underway, police believe that the illegal content was shared for monetary benefits.

The upsurge of online media was believed to let books out of vogue. But Kerala’s reading audience has only grown in numbers over the last few years. The love for literature thrives in this culturally rich state where DC Books is one of the leading publishers. DC Books houses literary luminaries like Basheer, Madhavikutty, OV Vijayan, Thakazhi, Sarah Joseph, Benyamin, KR Meera, Sethu, Zacharia, TD Ramakrishnan, Sunil P Ilayidom, Vinoy Thomas, S Hareesh, Lajo Jose and many more. These writers who have given us timeless masterpieces pursue writing as their career and depend on it for income. In fact, many senior writers’ sole income is from their literary creations. It’s no surprise then that more than 18 prominent Malayalam authors are planning on filing a case against the very same YouTube channel for violation of copyrights.

Illegal consumption and distribution of audiobooks and e-books are wanton threats that affect a chain of people from the writers, to the editors and the publishers. A great amount of work goes into the creation of each and every book and piracy is a flagrant violation of not only copyright laws but also the effort behind the publication of each book.

DC Books has been relentlessly chasing down those who have been engaging in piracy to protect their writers. The current infraction has caused a great wave in the Malayalam publishing industry, upsetting many established writers. The very existence of Malayalam literature which has been flourishing over decades becomes endangered by the blatant disregard of the people behind the pages. However, writers and the publishing house form only a part of the book’s equation; it is the reader that forms the rest. Readers who report illegal distribution of books protect the publishing industry and those who constitute it. For the publishing industry and your favourite authors to thrive, it is necessary that you respect their rights and thus, protect them. Literature can only prosper when it is harboured by its readers and creators.